Bundoora adds weapon off half-back in latest recruiting coup for NFL season
Northern Division 1 grand finalist Bundoora has added class to its half-back line with a former AFL gun coming across from a relegated rival for 2023.
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Northern power Bundoora has added another A-grade recruit for 2023.
The Division 1 grand finalist has secured former AFL player Ben McNiece from relegated rival Northcote Park for the new season.
McNiece will add class to the Bulls defence and another strong ball user to an already stacked line-up.
After finishing with Essendon, McNiece returned to Bill Lawry Oval in 2020 but could not help the Cougars remain in the top flight last year.
He’ll now run out for Bundoora with coach Michael Ryan delighted to secure his services.
“We’re rapt, he’s really close with Danny Younan from their time at Essendon,” he said.
“Early December it started to get serious and probably a week before Christmas he reached out and said he was happy to come on board and we were ecstatic.
“He’s going to add a lot of value to the group and to the club.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for him, the McNiece name is synonymous with Northcote Park so we’re very grateful that he’s decided to come to Bundoora.”
The Bulls have enjoyed a strong off-season following last year’s grand final defeat to Heidelberg.
McNiece joins retired Coburg VFL captain Peter McEvoy, Lachlan East (Hurstbridge), Joe Palazzolo (East Keilor), Kyle Wheatley (Watsonia), Murray Bushranger Jedd Longmire and VFL-listed big man Aaron Gundry.
Ryan said after falling agonisingly short last year, a strong ball-user off half-back was a recruiting target.
“Benny gives us that option and also the flexibility of playing at half-back and defending really well and then using the ball well when he gets it but also to go on ball and have an impact in the middle of the ground,” he said.
“With Nipper Marshall, Luke Collins, Sammy Lloyd, Jake Hobbs, we’ve got some really good ball users now that can hopefully look after our forwards.
“It was about retention of that core senior group first and then topping up and we believe getting Lachlan East, Joey Palazzolo back, Aaron Gundry, Jeddy Longmire, Peter McEvoy and now Ben, those boys are going to add significant value.”
Two-time best-and-fairest Bailey Thompson, Kain Proctor and Richmond rookie draftee Tylar Young are the main departures.
Ryan said the whole club was rapt to see Young get picked up by the Tigers with pick 26 in the rookie draft.
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Young arrived at Bundoora in 2020, via hometown club North Albury, and was VFL listed by Frankston and Richmond, playing 14 VFL matches for the Tigers in 2022.
“It’s so exciting for Tylar to get an opportunity on an AFL list,” Ryan said.
“It’s all happened pretty quickly for him, arriving three years at Bundoora and now on an AFL list and he’s really enjoying his time at Richmond.”
Bundoora hosts promotion-winner Banyule in Round 1 on Saturday, April 15.
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